In 2016, Papo released their first two arthropods, a European wolf spider (a.k.a., tarantula) and a fat-tailed scorpion, which probably represent the best spider and scorpion figures outside of Japan (and the wolf spider may just be the best spider figure, period!). For someone like me who, at the time, only collected arthropods, this was a welcome sign! Well, they went quiet for a couple years on the subject, until 2019 when they released a praying mantis. In 2020 they went all-out with bug fever when they initially announced six more: edible crab, ladybug, monarch butterfly, emperor dragonfly, honey bee, and grasshopper. I recently acquired the monarch, ladybug, and dragonfly, and so today we will be looking at the ladybug, specifically the seven-spotted lady beetle, Coccinella septempunctata.
Coccinella septempunctata is native to much of the Palearctic and has been introduced as a biological control agent to North America. Unfortunately, it has displaced its North American cousin, the nine-spotted lady beetle (C. novemnotata), throughout much of the latter’s original range. Of course, in the UK and North America, C. septempunctata is getting pushed out by another introduction, the multi-colored Asian lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis).
Back to the figure. First of all, what is amazing is how small it is for a ‘standard-sized’ figure. With a body length of only 2.8 cm, it has a scale of roughly only 4.3:1-3.5:1. The sculpt is simple, yet accurate for a figure of this size. The paint job reflects all the classic highlights of this species. Given its small size and simple design, there is not a whole lot to say about it.
Coccinella septempunctata is probably the most common beetle species made that does not belong to the families Scarabaeidae or Lucanidae, and is probably the most commonly-made species outside of Japan. This figure is noticeably smaller than those made by Bullyland and CollectA (not including the figure in the recent Mini collection by CollectA). If someone wants this species represented, but does not want to devote much space to it, this might be a good option. The only one at a comparable size and quality is the one by Blip Toys which is seemingly impossible to get these days.
Well, that’s all. Next time, I will tackle the Papo 2020 monarch butterfly.
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…I recently put this figure away in a cabinet with other lady beetles, and when seeing it next to other figures of the species, it is narrower than it probably should be. Not a major flaw, but something to point out.